Benita Ferrero-Waldner today welcomes the
release of Andrei Kim and Sergei Parsyukevich, two Belarusian political
prisoners.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for
External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, said:

“I am delighted by this news. The freeing of Andrei Kim and Sergei
Parsyukevich, taken together with the recent release of Alyaksandr Kazulin are
encouraging signs. The European Union has repeatedly called for the release of
all political prisoners and for Belarus to take steps towards compliance with
core European values of democracy, human rights and respect for rule of law.

This news comes at a critical time as Belarus prepares for parliamentary
elections next month. I very much hope the positive momentum will continue and
allow the European Union and Belarus to rapidly develop closer relations”.